The St. Louis Rams' rookie quarterback received that amount in guaranteed money -- the most in NFL history -- after he signed a six-year, $78 million contract that has a maximum value of $86 million Saturday.

The Rams and the former University of Oklahoma quarterback concluded negotiations in time for the team's first full-squad workout, which was scheduled for Saturday.

Bradford is the centerpiece of a rebuilding effort for the Rams, who were 1-15 last year in the first season under coach Steve Spagnuolo and are 6-42 the last three seasons.

Spagnuolo reiterated earlier this week that veteran backup A.J. Feeley is the Rams' starting quarterback entering training camp. But Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, shouldn't be on the bench for long.

Marc Bulger, rookie Keith Null and Kyle Boller combined for just 12 touchdown passes all last season. St. Louis trailed the NFL with a 10.9-point scoring average, leaning heavily on Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick last year, received $41.7 million in guaranteed money on a six-year, $72 million deal with the Detroit Lions last year.

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Bradford's agents, Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of St. Louis, also represent Rams offensive tackle Jason Smith, who also signed just in time for the first full-squad workout last year. Smith was the second overall pick and received a five-year, $62 million deal with $33 million in guaranteed money.

Bradford led the nation with 48 touchdown passes for Oklahoma in 2008. He played in just three games in 2009 before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Bradford attended the Rams' mandatory minicamp last month as well as a rookie minicamp after the draft. He missed three practices for rookies, quarterbacks and veterans coming off injuries, two of them Thursday.